The Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) is gearing up for its annual conference. Plan to attend the 2008 PTI Technical Conference & Exhibition May 4-6, 2008, and learn the latest about the fast-growing technology of post-tensioning. Engineers, architects, building officials, inspectors, contractors, specifiers, students, researchers, or anyone with an interest in post-tensioning are invited to attend this informative and valuable symposium on post-tensioning applications and technology, to be held in exciting St. Louis, at the St. Louis Hyatt Regency at Union Station.

This year’s conference will feature the following opportunities for attendees:

• technical sessions;
• panel discussions;
• committee meetings;
• awards dinner and presentation;
• prize giveaways;
• networking and social events;
• industry exhibits;
• product and software demos;
• educational seminars; and
• CEUs/PDHs.

More specifically, the technical sessions include the following planned topics:

• post-tensioned bridges;
• repair and rehabilitation;
• slab-on-ground foundations;
• building, design, and construction;
• innovative technologies; and
• ask-the-experts.

What it is The Post Tensioning Institute?

Established in 1976, PTI focuses on research projects directed toward development of specifications and design recommendations, publication of technical literature on applications of post-tensioning, and an annual program of technical seminars to disseminate information on post-tensioning design and construction technology.

PTI provides research, technical development, marketing, and promotional activities for companies engaged in post-tensioned construction. Its publications are a major communication system for disseminating information on post-tensioning design and construction technology. In addition, PTI publishes a quarterly newsletter dealing with developments in the post-tensioning industry, and periodic issues of Technical Notes—which provide an in-depth discussion and/or analysis of issues pertinent to designers in the post-tensioning field.

One of the goals of the Institute is to ensure that specifiers and purchasers of post-tensioning materials receive products and services that meet a recognized standard of quality. Working toward this goal, PTI has established a certification program for plants producing unbonded tendons. This program certifies that plants are capable of producing post-tensioning products which conform to PTI’s industry-wide specification for unbonded tendons. In addition, PTI now certifies unbonded post-tensioning installers. Specifying PTI-certified plants and certified installers ensures a quality post-tensioned project.

PTI has currently seven standing technical committees, five of which are presently engaged in updating/revising existing publications or developing new documents: Cable-Stayed Bridges; Post-Tensioning Grouting Specifications; Post-Tensioned Slabs-on-Ground; Training and Certification of Unbonded P/T Field Personnel; and Unbonded Tendons. In addition, a Technical Advisory Board reviews and makes recommendations to the board of directors on all technical, promotional, and research publications of the Institute.

PTI members include major post-tensioning material fabricators in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and manufacturers of prestressing materials in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, and South America. Membership also includes companies supplying miscellaneous materials, services, and equipment used in post-tensioned construction. In addition, PTI has more than 700 professional members.

2008 PTI Technical Conference & Exhibition—technical sessions

Monday, May 5, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Opening session: Scott Greenhaus, VSL

• Marketing strategies in the post-tensioning industry: Brian Gallagher, VSL
• Design of tall post-tensioned buildings: Cary Kopczynski, Cary Kopczynski & Co., Inc., PS
• Vanderbilt University post-tensioned truss system: Otto J. Schwarz Carpenter, Wright Engineers, PLLC

9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Morning break

10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Technical session #2—Building design: Rashid Ahmed, Walker Parking

• Design for restraint in PT slabs: Jonathan Hirsch, Bentley Systems, Inc.
• Design recommendations for PT slab-column connections under lateral loads: Thomas H.-K. Kang, University of Oklahoma
• PT transfer girders’ design for buildings-overload, restraint, and construction staging issues: Agha Hasan and Neb Erakovic, Halcrow Yolles
• PT design intricacies and challenges on the "Bayou on the Bend"—Garage and condos project: Asit Baxi, Suncoast Post-Tension, Ltd.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Technical session #3—Bridges: Paul Virmani, FHWA

• Fatigue durability of partially post-tensioned concrete: Jeff Volz and Andrea Schokker, Penn State University
• Evaluation and repair of rain/wind-induced vibration of cable stays: Randy Poston and Keith E. Kesner, WDP Associates, Inc.
• Imaging of voids in ducts of post-tensioned bridges with impact echo scanning for QA and Corrosion Mitigation: Larry Olson and Yajai Tinkey, Olson Engineering
• State-of-the-art in the Assessment of Bridge Cable Degradation Khaled Mahmoud Bridge Technology Consulting

2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Afternoon break

3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Technical session #4—Innovative technologies: Khaled Shawwaf, DYWIDAG-Systems International, USA, Inc.

• State-of-the-art segmental coupler for post-tensioning tendons: Joe Harrison, General Technologies, Inc.
• Posi-Lock Plus TM: The next generation of encapsulated anchorage system: Bobby Field, Hayes Industries Inc.
• The next revolution in post-tensioning technology for the slab-on-grade: Tony Childress, Slab Tek
• Project X: Addressing the needs of unbonded post-tensioning: Larry Krauser, General Technologies, Inc.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Technical session #5—Building design and construction issues: Larry Krauser, General Technologies Inc.

• Design and construction of barrier cable systems: Pete Scoppa, Suncoast Post-Tension, Ltd.
• Design and detailing issues in construction of post-tensioned parking structures: Rashid Ahmed, Walker Parking Consultants
• Openings in PT slabs: Don Kline, Kline Engineering & Consulting, LLC
• Performing radical amputation on a post-tensioned structure: Dan Moser, Walker Restoration Consultants

9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Morning break

10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Technical session #6—Repair and rehabilitation: Garth Fallis, Vector Construction Group

• Repairs of the Phoenix Coliseum Building: Russell Price, Suncoast Post-Tension, Ltd.
• Utah State Capitol Post-Tensioning for seismic isolation: Justin Anderson, VSL
• Corrosion evaluation and mitigation for post-tensioned cables: Garth Fallis, Vector Construction Group
• Evaluation and repair of post-tensioned concrete tank and thin shell roof: Keith E. Kesner, WDP Associates Inc.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Technical session #7—Slab-on-ground: Ken Bondy, Structural Engineer

• Updates to the geotechnical procedure in Version 3.1: Dean Read, GTK (Geostructural Tool Kit, Inc.)
• Updates to the structural procedure in Version 3.1: Brian Juedes, Felten Engineering Group
• Validation of Version 3.1: John Bryant, Bryant Consultants, Inc.
• Code requirements for sulfate durability in residential concrete: Ken Bondy, Structural Engineer

2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Afternoon break

3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Technical session #8—Expert panel: Buildings, Florian Barth

• Randy Poston, WDP Associates Inc.
• Jim Cagley, Cagley & Associates
• Cary Kopczynsk, Cary Kopczynski & Co., Inc., PS
• Jim Beicker, JL Beicker Co.

3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Technical session #9—Expert panel: SOG, Don Illingworth

• Ken Bondy, Structural Engineer
• John Bryant, Bryant Consultants
• Dean Read, GTK (Geostructural Tool Kit, Inc.)
• Russell Price, Suncoast Post-Tension Ltd.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PTI seminar:
Analysis and design of post-tensioned building structures
(Complimentary with conference registration)

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PTI seminar:
Fundamentals of post-tensioned foundations
(Complimentary with conference registration)

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. PTI board of directors meeting

Sidebar: PTI’s mission statement

The Post-Tensioning Institute represents a community of businesses and professionals dedicated to expanding quality post-tensioning applications through research, education, code development, and marketing.

Sidebar: What is post-tensioning?

Simply put, post-tensioning is a method of reinforcing concrete, masonry, and other structural elements. It is a method of prestressing. Prestressed concrete or masonry has internal stresses (forces) induced into it during the construction phase for the purpose of counteracting the anticipated external loads that it will encounter during its lifecycle.

There are two methods of prestressing. One is called pre-tensioning. This method consists of stressing the reinforcing inside of large steel buttresses, and then casting the concrete around the reinforcing. Pre-tensioning can only be done at a precast manufacturing facility and requires the completed prestressed concrete members to be trucked out to the jobsite and then assembled. The other method of prestressing is called post-tensioning. Instead of stressing the reinforcing inside of large steel buttresses at a manufacturing plant, the reinforcing is simply installed on the jobsite after the contractor forms up the slabs or constructs the walls. The reinforcing steel is housed in a sheathing or duct that prevents the steel from bonding to the concrete so that it can be stressed after the concrete cures (hardens). Using the post-tensioning method of prestressing enables a builder to get all the advantages of prestressed concrete or masonry (described further at www.post-tensioning.org) while still enabling the freedom to construct the member such as a slab, wall, or column on the jobsite.